A Guide To Down Feather Pillows

Why Down Feather Pillows Are Better

Recently I was talking with a friend about how soft or hard we like our pillows and while he preferred the tough tempur-pedic type foam pillows I like a softer down filled pillow. Unlike a thick pillow, down pillows let air flow through so you don’t wake up with a sweaty neck and head. I also like that a feather pillow is plush and cuddly.

So what should you look for in a down feather pillow?

First of all you will want to make sure that your pillow is filled with 100% pure goose down, not duck feathers. Duck feathers are cheaper but they are inferior in quality and will not give you the soft plush feel of goose down. Plus duck feathers tend to be coarse and will easily poke through pillows resulting in a prickly night of tossing and turning!

You will also need to know how firm you want your pillow to be. A soft pillow will sink almost all the way down to your mattress when you lay your head down. A medium or firm pillow will be the right choice for you if you want more support.

Finally you should have an idea of how large you want your pillows to be. Goose down pillows come in all sizes ranging from standard sizes to king and even body sized pillows.

So Where Can I Buy The Right Goose Feather Pillow?

It can be really difficult to find a wide selection of feather pillows in stores these days. Most retailers and big box stores only carry a couple down pillows as most people purchase more economical but flat and unsupportive polyester filled pillows. If you do not know what type of goose down pillow you would prefer then you should first do a bit of comparison shopping and read the reviews on Amazon.com.

This way you can see what other people have to say about the different brands as well as compare prices and different grades of softness and firmness to find the one that’s right for you.

Cleaning your down feather pillow

Cleaning a goose down pillow is a breeze. Just wash the pillow on gentle cycle in your washing machine with warm/cool water and a bit of down soap such as ReviveX cleaner. Down soaps will be gentler on delicate feathers and help keep them from shedding and clumping. You do not want to use hot water or harsh chemicals like bleach. This will damage the feathers in your pillow and it will turn lumpy and lose its plushness. Keep in mind that since down filled pillows are very absorbent you may need to use the “large load” setting on your washer. After washing, try to use your hands to gently squeeze out as much water as possible but do not wring the pillow. Then you can dry the pillow on a medium heat setting in your dryer. If you have a couple of clean tennis balls on hand you can throw them in the dryer with your pillow to fluff up the pillow while it dries.

Something to consider: Keeping Your Down Pillow Clean

In addition to a pillow case, you should think about getting a inner cover or protector for your down pillow. This way your pillow will stay clean and smell free longer. There are also hypoallergenic pillow covers for people who have allergies to dust mites or feathers.